CHARACTERIZATION OF A POLYSACCHARIDE FROM CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS THAT CROSS REACTS WITH TYPE III PNEUMOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDE

Abstract

A water soluble polysaccharide from Carthamus tinctorius flowers was found to react with antisera specific to Types III and VIII Streptococcus pneumoniae. Intraperitoneal inoculation of mice with the polysaccharide caused the generation of splenic antibody-forming cells which were similar in specificity to those detected following immunization with Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide. Antiserum reactive to Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide was prepared by immunizing rabbits with the C. tinctorius polysaccharide. Chemical analysis of the polysaccharide showed it to consist mainly of xylose, fructose, galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, and uronic acid.